May 3, 2010

Freddy's RIP

Today is a sad day for a lot of people who live close to Flatbush Ave. Fort Greene, Park Slope and further. In fact for a lot of Brooklyn. It is sad because Freddy's is closing. It's closing because greedy, glutinous rich people think they know what's best for this neighborhood & are erecting some god awful monstrosity that is going to turn this Neighborhood in to a Manhattan-esque commercial nightmare.

Though there were rumors that the negotiations to reopen on 4th Avenue and Union Street have fallen through, everyone was sure Freddy’s would be back somewhere, at some time. For those who frequent its notorious Dean Street location, the night was more of a going away party for a good friend who was leaving for a long trip, as well as providing a bit of closure for a street corner that will never be the same. In the end, an angry sit in didn’t happen and the recently installed chains of justice remain unused. Turns out partying is just more fun, and seems like a more fitting way to say goodbye.

Friday was supposed to be the last night for Freddy's bar, the anti-Atlantic Yards stronghold which had been forced to close via eminent domain. They tacked on an extra night at the last minute, however, and photog Tracy Collins was there to document it in a Flickr photo set.

Freddy's Bar & Backroom, the Prospect Heights bar forced out by the Atlantic Yards project, had its final nights on Friday and Saturday. Friday was supposed to be the last hurrah, but the bar was open for business on Saturday too...